Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 51 and last (for now) (DM Cayzle) Monday March 13th, 2006 7:09:16 AM
Feng's ax puts a big dent in the door, Black Paws butts it, and then Arien's burning hands flames it to cinders.
Sarigar advances, pushing through the repulsion. He advances on the sage and claws him for 8 hp damage. (Note: Sarigar moved more than five feet, so he can make only a single standard attack this round.)
Renik and Monthor, each in their own way, have no choice but to sit this out in their forcecages. (It is the forcewall version, not the barred version.)
Tratain waits for the sage to pop up his head, ready to zap him.
Draax moves right behind Sarigar, also resisting the repulsion. He fires right past the wild man and hits the sage for another 12. That's 20 this round! (Note: Sage gets soft cover bonuses from Sarigar vs Draax (see map), but the arrow still hits.)
The sage's invisible raven flies over to his master throught he shattered door.
The sage takes a five-foot step back. He laughs and says, "This is not the end!" He reads a scroll he had in his hand, and teleports out with the Elemental.
The battle is over. The field of combat is yours. Please post your actions for the next 12 rounds.
Cayzle OOC Monday March 13th, 2006 7:58:11 AM
Oh, yes, the forcecages are still entrapping Monthor and Renik. And anyone with a modicum of Spellcraft knows that they'll be around for hours and hours and hours!
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Monday March 13th, 2006 11:11:19 AM
Feng scouts the immediate area to make sure that the danger is indeed over. After that he simply waits for the spells to wear off.
"Well I think she should take the time and strip this place from top to bottom."
Sarigar (AC24(25)) and Black Paws (AC21(22)) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless, Haste) Monday March 13th, 2006 3:39:49 PM
Sarigar dives for the Sage, just as he pops out of sight causing him to barrel headfirst into the dirty ground. He gets up, coughing the dirt and dust from his mouth, pounding the ground in frustration.
Seemingly sensing that the Sage is gone and will not be back, Sarigar looks rather dejected for a moment. He happens to glance down at his claws and notices the blood from the Sage on them. He lifts his fingers up to his nose and takes a long slow sniff, then slowly drags bloody fingertips over his tongue. This scent, he will not forget...
Black Paws brushes up against his brother. He sniffs and takes a tentative lick at his other hand. As much as they hate when prey gets away, sometimes a long hunt is much more rewarding.
Both begin to slow their breathing and the madness begins to gradually melt away from their eyes. After a good minute, the wide-eyed curious Sarigar seems to be back. He sees the glowing box containing Monthor and pokes at it a few times. Noting that Monthor seems to be trying to get out, the brothers bash on the box in hopes to get the little man out. Black Paws even tries to dig under it.
Renik Monday March 13th, 2006 4:41:32 PM
Renik stares down at his companions in disbelief. The sage is still alive! More importantly, he's still stuck in his cage!
The rogue slumps down, just wishing he could have 60 seconds alone with that sage...
Monthor d20+8=17 Monday March 13th, 2006 7:31:40 PM
Monthor strikes out at the walls in frustration (str 17) before sitting himself down on the floor of the cage.
"Takes it brothers. Me'll need some magic to get me out of here. Hey Arien! What do those wands do?!? "
After things settle down, Monthor closes his eyes and takes a nap. After all, a warrior gets rest whenever he can.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield Monday March 13th, 2006 11:06:04 PM
Arien returns to the Sage's study area where the remaining magic items and the spellbooks lay. He casts detect magic and concentrates a moment. Then he proceeds to gather up and seperate anything that is magical. He also sets aside the spellbooks for further study later. Arien wants to what exactly that Sage was doing and figures the best way to do it would to be studying his spellbooks and journals.
Draax Tuesday March 14th, 2006 1:28:41 AM
Although he believes the sage is really gone this time, Draax stays alert just in case. He is disappointed that the sage escaped but happy that they achieved what the came here to do.
A look around the mad scientist's lab (DM Cayzle) Tuesday March 14th, 2006 6:45:03 PM
Feng pauses and then searches from the place. He finds only one unexplored place -- the door behind the blade barrier.
Sarigar does his best to free Monthor, but to no avail.
Renik and Monthor are frustrated.
Arien looks over the Sages library. It is truly odd -- many of the most common spells are represented by versions that focus on insects and other vermin. Charm Vermin, Summon Vermin, Discipline Vermin, Vermin Trance, Dominate Vermin ... the list goes on and on. Arien feels that it would take very intense training to be able to cast spells like this.
Draax takes a look through the lab, and hears a yipping, like a puppy. In fact there is a young pup in a cage. Or is it? In fact, it looks like a cross between an ant and a dog!
After 12 rounds goes by, one of the elves runs back into the room. "Help! Help!" he shouts. "Ants took Terell and Amabore!"
The next round an ant enters, carrying a piece of paper. It drops the paper and steps ten feet back, as if waiting.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Tuesday March 14th, 2006 8:30:02 PM
Draax feels sad as he looks at what the sage did to the puppy, depending on the puppy's reaction; whether it is friendly or hostile. If it is friendly, he will attempt to free it from the cage.
When the elf come running in Draax turns toward him with an exasperated expression on his face. He is wondering if the elves are actually working with the sage or if they are really the fools and idiots that he is starting to think they are.
Draax calms himself before speaking but a little argue can still be heard in his voice, "You guys just ran out of here with no weapons, no transportation, and no idea what awaited you outside?" He takes a deep breath, "Forget it! Tell us what happened."
Seeing the ant, Draax pulls his sword and while keeping his eyes on the ant he goes over a picks up the piece of paper and brings it back to others before reading it out loud.
Monthor d20+8=13 Tuesday March 14th, 2006 9:26:02 PM
" ARGH!!!!! Me miss all the fun! Someone... get... me... out... of... here!!!! "
:: Monthor takes another swing at the wall with his first. ::
(Str check 13)
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance Tuesday March 14th, 2006 10:55:36 PM
Arien checks out the force cages that are trapping Renik and Monthor, trying to figure out if there is anyway to reach through to touch one of them so he can dimension door one out. If he is able to he will ask Renik which one should be freed then dimension door himself and the trapped party member out and a few feet away. Otherwise Arien apologizes to the two that he isn't able to free them.
Renik Wednesday March 15th, 2006 8:01:30 AM
The rogue sympathises with Monthor's frustration. He tries to think if there is anything to be done.
"Unless there are any scolls of Disintegrate, dimension door or teleoprt lying about in the laboratory I think we're stuck" the rogue concludes sadly. "Have you looked?"
He kicks himself when he hears that two elves have been captured. They are back in the same situation they were in to begin with! Curses! Why didn't he tell them to stop?
Scowling he awaits the contents of the sage's note.
Sarigar and Black Paws Wednesday March 15th, 2006 10:26:18 AM
Upon seeing the ant arrive, Sarigar immediately goes on the defensive, expecting more company. The brothers dash up toward the ant, but stops at the paper. Black Paws raises his hockles, growling at the bug while Sarigar picks up the paper. He turns it this way and that, but crumples it and tosses it over his shoulder having no clue as to what it says. He turns his attention back on the ant, ready to dispatch it should it make any movement that could be construed as hostile.
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Wednesday March 15th, 2006 6:45:30 PM
"Yes tell us what happened. We might be able tot rack them back to the sage but without all of us present is it a suicide mission?"
Offer (DM Cayzle) Thursday March 16th, 2006 7:07:11 AM
Draax finds the "puppy" to be the cutest thing he's ever seen on six legs! It yips and licks his fingers through the bars of the cage. When freed, it runs around fast on its six paws, jumping up on Draax and barking happily.
It tugs on Draax's pant leg (does Draax wear pants?), and he finds that it is very much stronger than one would think a puppy would be.
Sarigar goes on the defensive, casually crumpling the note in passing. The ant stays still and non-threatening. It even turns and looks the other way.
Arien checks out the cages -- solid! No way to touch! Monthor and Renik remain frustrated.
Draax and Feng talk to the elf. Yes, it seems they fled, in case the party lost, and ants captured two of them as they went. This fellow ran back here. Feng would rather not fight the Sage again with two still forcecaged.
By the time Draax gets to the note, it has been crumpled, but it is still easy to read: Truce! I'll give you the other two elves and free your friends from my Forcecages -- if you leave my lab and library alone, if you swear a holy oath never to fight me or my creatures here in my home, and if you vow to leave and never return!
Background info on oaths: Remember from when you swore friendship with the cricket-taurs ... to make such an oath you must swear to a higher power, say what you intend, and declare the consequences if you break the oath.
The ant puppy runs into the main room and starts barking at Black Paws. Sarigar has a clear intuition of what the pup is saying: "Wow! Huh! Wow! What? Wow! Wow!"
Monthor d20+8=20 Thursday March 16th, 2006 7:31:13 AM
" FORGET THAT!!!! ME WANT HIS HEAD!!! SERGE! ME GONNA GIT YA SUCKER!!!!! "
ooc> That would be a "no" from the dwarf.
:: Monthor hits the cage again ::
(Strenght check 20).
Monthor Thursday March 16th, 2006 7:31:52 AM
ooc> Assuming Draax tells us what's in the note of course. :-)
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Thursday March 16th, 2006 9:51:27 AM
Enraged, Feng turns sharply and buries his great axe into the wall. He leaves it there shaking slightly from the impact and paces about.
"Never, never will I make such a deal. I would rather die than to sweat to let evil go free and grow strong once more." Feng says with great conviction. He returns to his axe and pulls it from the wall.
"I will end this sage now or may gargul take my soul." Feng says before walking out of the room in search of the sage.
Sarigar and Black Paws Thursday March 16th, 2006 11:10:44 AM
As the little pupant runs up to them, Black Paws dips his nose down, sniffs at the little thing and nudges it playfully with his nose. Sarigar, at first shocked by the abomination, quickly notes its innocence and tries to speak with it.
ooc: I know I can speak freely with wolves, but would it apply to all canines? Perhaps like a northerner speaking to a deep southerner, basically the same language, but different dialects?
Highlight to display spoiler: {"Hey there, little one. Where'd you come from? Where's momma? Are you ok?}
While speaking in growls and barks, Sarigar scratches the pupant behind the ears and under the chin while Black Paws licks it like a protective father dog.
Renik d20+12=32 Thursday March 16th, 2006 1:43:53 PM
The sage has truly caught them on the horns of a dilemma. If they refuse it almost certainly means two innocent deaths. But if they accept the offer how many more may die? An impossible decision.
Worse still, they have absolutely no idea where the sage is. He is clearly still in mental range of his creatures, but they have no way of knowing how long that range is.
Two of the party have already made their feelings clear. Renik too is inclined to turn down the offer, but the thought of those two elves dying for his principles weighs heavy upon him. He decides to play for time, desperately hoping that he can figure out some way to trick the sage. Though with he and Monthor trapped and the spellcasters pretty much cast out he can't think what option they may have.
"What say the rest of you?" asks the rogue, trying to let them know that he wants them to prevaricate (Bluff 32 to pass on a secret message to his companions).
Draax Friday March 17th, 2006 12:03:09 AM
Seeing that the pupant (ooc: LOL good name pupant) is happy and seems to be unharmed he begins to pet it before it rips his Bill's Stylish Pants O' Plenty. He notes the strength of the pup and wonders how strong it will be when it is full grown. He smiles as it goes over to Black Paw acting like a normal pup.
After reading the note out loud and listening to the comments of the others, Draax take a moment to think before commenting.
"Although I would love to get my hands on the sage, I can live with leaving him alone on a few conditions. If he stop using the innocent for his experiments, both humanoid and animal. If he and his creatures do not threaten anything that I hold dear. If he does not kidnap anyone or force anyone to do anything against their will. But to just swear to let him be without conditions is not something that I am will to do. So what I am saying is, as long as he does not give me a reason to bother him I am fine with letting him be."
Draax knows what the sage was getting at and it does not involve conditions but he will not swear without them.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance Friday March 17th, 2006 1:43:47 AM
"I will mourn their loss but I cannot allow the sage's works to continue, even if it does cause the death of two inoccents. I will not try to justify the action of letting them die, because that is what I am willing to do, let them die. However I will break this sage's power, he will die here and his evil will end. No more will he plague us with his twisted abominations of nature. Not even the Fae King knew what a wretched creature this sage is I imagine."
Arien takes a step forward and waves a clenched fist at the creature, "Sage if you can hear through this beasts ears, or sense its thoughts, know this. I will destroy this place, tear it about my own ears and end your work before I allow you to continue. If you flee you shall have to watch your shadow for I will be there, hunting you, ready to bring you down."
Turning back to the group Arien continues, "I mean what I have said, I would rather that we all die here, forever ending the sage's works before allowing him to continue them."
Debate (DM Cayzle) Friday March 17th, 2006 6:45:01 AM
Arien, Feng, and Monthor are pretty set on death to the sage. Draax is willing to consider some other options. Renik wants to try trickery. Tratain keeps his own counsel. And Sarigar is too occupied with the pupant!
Which, by the way, is happy to meet the Lost Child! It hops on Sarigar and barks with joy when he speaks. "No Mom! Wow! Just Dad!" it barks. "Who? Who are you? Wow! Let's play!" Then it tries to climb, like an ant, on Black Paws (and will do so if the wolf lets him).
Feng in his anger does not look at the yapping pup. He takes his ax and heads out of the room.
[OOC: Is Feng really going off alone? Is anyone going after him?]
Monthor d20+8=10 Friday March 17th, 2006 7:40:22 AM
" GO GET HIM PRINCESS!!! Hey... wait... Me still stuck here!!! SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!! "
:: Monthor, now becoming even more frustrated slaps at the walls of his cage (str check 10). ::
Monthor d20+8=10 Friday March 17th, 2006 7:43:17 AM
" GO GET HIM PRINCESS!!! Hey... wait... Me still stuck here!!! SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!! "
:: Monthor, now becoming even more frustrated slaps at the walls of his cage (str check 10). ::
Renik Friday March 17th, 2006 4:13:11 PM
"Feng! Wait!" yells the rogue from his forcecage. Going off alone will get you killed. Wait a moment."
He thinks a moment. His companions have made it pretty clear to the sage they have no intention of backing down. Arien has pretty much given the sage a final answer. But it is important they give the sage an escape route. A cornered enemy has nowhere to turn, no response left except to fight. Perhaps a threat will work.
"You have our reply sage." says the rogue coldly, fixing his gaze upon the ant. "Let me tell you what happens next, and the choices you have.
We are going to destroy your lab, and everything in this camp of yours. By the time we are done I want to see those two elves back here, safe and unharmed. If I don't you can rest assured my companions and I will hunt you down. We will track you to the ends of the Wold and when we find you there will be a reckoning. You shall die, sage, and all because of these two lives.
I told you before, we came to free these elves. If they die in the process, your life is forfeit. The choice is yours; free the elves and never let word reach us again of your evil deeds, and we will leave. Hurt them and know that we will not rest until you are cold in the ground. You have until we leave this camp."
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Friday March 17th, 2006 5:02:30 PM
Feng keeps walking, axe gripped tightly in his hands. While his steps are not quick they are unrelenting and determined.
ooc: yup he's off on his own.
Draax Friday March 17th, 2006 11:28:18 PM
Draax listens to the others and realizes that negotiating is not an option. He listens to Renik's reply and hopes the sage does not realize that some of the group will not leave this place without his head. Having nothing to add he waits to see what happens.
Draax makes no move to stop Feng from going after the sage; he would join him if a few of their members were not trapped in the forcecages. He does call out to the paladin, "Feng, do you have any idea where the sage is? He could be anywhere in this place and since he is obviously watching us, I doubt if he will let you get close to him especially with that stupid dimension door spell of his."
Draax does not moment that he believes the sage might kill the elves once he sees Feng coming for him.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Greater Invisibility, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance Saturday March 18th, 2006 3:32:52 PM
Arien will not allow Feng to go off by himself, but he will not stop the Paladin either. Casting a glance back at the rest of the group Arien says, " I will go with Feng, and hopefully we will be able to end the Sage's threat together." That said Arien casts greater invisibility on himself and follows Feng.
Sarigar (AC24(25)) and Black Paws (AC21(22)) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) Monday March 20th, 2006 11:09:21 AM
Sarigar seems to not even hear the talk of the Sage as he's more interested in his new friend. Black Paws has no problems with letting the pupant climb over him and even rolls over to a few time to let him keep climbing without ever reaching the "top". It's almost like they've found a new brother.
When they finally notice that Feng and Arien begin to walk away, but the others seem to be staying behind...
"They goin' huntin'? What's the prey today?" His voice is very raspy and half the words barely come out. He coughs to try to clear his throat. "Need the whole pack if it's big prey."
Then he holds up the pupant over his head, little legs squirming to find solid ground. He growls, yips and barks at the pupant... Highlight to display spoiler: {"No mom, huh? Who's dad? I'm Sarigar, this is brother, Black Paws."}
Cayzle Monday March 20th, 2006 11:06:20 PM
OHMIGOSH! What happened to the post I made this morning! Gosh Darn Internets!
I'll get one up right away! Sorry!
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25; Haste] Monday March 20th, 2006 11:14:43 PM
Tratain hopes that Renik and Monthor will be ok in thier force cages, he says "Let check these other Rooms before we run off looking for him."
Tratain will follow Feng and Arien though if they go outside.
The Breaking of the Fellowship (DM Cayzle) Tuesday March 21st, 2006 12:43:35 AM
[OOC: Joe, welcome back!]
Tratain comes out of the sage's quarters ( the room next to the library that is not the lab) having found a small iron chest.
Feng stalks off, followed by an invisible Arien, and then by a reluctant Tratain.
The three pass through the room where the ceiling caved in, and then to the room with the Mind Fog. Those who did not save before may affected again if you enter the chamber. Arien knows that the fog lasts about a half hour, so there are like 25 minutes left on the thing.
Back in the big chamber, there is the iron chest that Tratain dropped off. Monthor and Renik can only be annoyed. Draax feels that he should not leave his caged friends behind. Sarigar talks with the antpup, which seems to say that his dad is a bug, or a bug man. The pup loves playing!
Renik Tuesday March 21st, 2006 9:48:24 AM
Renik gazes after his vanishing companions with a mixture of disbelief and envy.
Turning his attention back to the here and now he gazes down at the box left by Tratain.
"Well, is someone going to open it?" he asks from the safety of his force cage.
Sarigar (AC24(25)) and Black Paws (AC21(22)) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) Tuesday March 21st, 2006 11:16:24 AM
Sarigar looks up at Renik from his play with the pupant as if someone just nudged him. "Hmm?" As he looks around the room, he remembers where he is and spots the chest that Renik was speaking about. He points to it and looks up inquisitively at Renik. "This?"
When Renik confirms his question, Sarigar tries to open the box without a second thought.
Black Paws begins to hop and run around the room, either with the pupant chasing him or him chasing the pupant, whichever way the play takes them.
This obliviousness to their surroundings is having an obvious effect on Sarigar as he has difficulties focusing on even the simple task of opening he box.
Monthor... d20+8=13 Tuesday March 21st, 2006 12:34:46 PM
" But... but... but.... ARIEN! DID YOU TRY OUT THE WANDS!!!! Me swear, if one of those could have gotten us out me gonna kick yor arse!!!"
:: Towhit, the dwarf gets slightly more frustrated and smashes his unsmashable prison again. :: (str check 13)
" SERGE!!!!!!!!"
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Greater Invisibility, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance d20+13=33 Tuesday March 21st, 2006 10:08:50 PM
Arien continues to follow Feng outside of the tree, ready for any attacks that might come. (Nat 20 for will save vs. Mind Fog)
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] Tuesday March 21st, 2006 11:18:31 PM
Tratain follows along with Arien and Feng, keeping his eye out for the Sage and his minions.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Tuesday March 21st, 2006 11:42:55 PM
Draax watches the others go but decides to stay with his trapped comrades. He is caught off guard when Sarigar starts opening the chest; Draax yells as he jumps and ducks for cover. "What the bloody...!"
If Sarigar does not have the chest open by the time Draax catches his breath. He says, "Sarigar that is a wizard's chest; you should not just open it without someone checking it for magic first."
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d20+10=28 Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 9:47:21 AM
Taking the risk, Feng continues through the chamber of mind fog. This time he does his best to brace his mind against the magical enchantment. The risk is great but the Sage cannot be allowed to escape.
ooc: will save 28
Splitting up (DM Cayzle) Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 11:45:39 PM
Draax's warning is too late! But no disaster befalls, this time.
Sarigar opens the iron box and finds a hoop of metal inside. Funny -- the inside of the hoop is like a hole that goes somewhere ... and it looks familiar ...
Arien, Feng, and Tratain explore the complex. It seems deserted. There are no more ants (other than the one that brought the message, which follows about 40 feet behind). You see chambers you had not yet entered ... store rooms, ant nurseries, other ant chambers ... but no ants.
Above ground is the big tree, and no creature is stirring.
Monthor d20+8=18 Thursday March 23rd, 2006 8:10:21 AM
Str role 18
" SERGE!!!!!!! "
Monthor bashes the walls again.
ooc> Yes, I know. Doesn't matter what I role, but it's something to do.
Sarigar (AC24) and Black Paws (AC21) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) d20+1=18 Thursday March 23rd, 2006 10:38:17 AM
With Draax's warning coming just as the box opens, Sarigar drops the box like a scolded child. The lid flips open, allowing the ring to roll out and wobble to the floor like a large coin. With a look that can only be described as "OoooOOOooo, what does this do?", Sarigar snatches up the ring and examines it from various angles.
As he comes to one that allows him to see into it like a hole, he spies something familiar. "Hmmm." he says, as he looks more closely into the "hole" (Int 18 for some recollection).
Provided the scene he sees inside the hole doesn't look obviously dangerous, he'll reach inside up to his elbow. He looks around to the other side of the ring and sees that his hand doesn't come out the other side. "ACK! My arm!" he expounds as he leaps back from the ring, allowing it to skitter to the floor. He reaches for his arm, finding it still intact, he examines each of his fingers carefully to be sure all is in working order.
As Black Paws and the pupant dash about the room playfully, Black Paws stops dead in his tracks the instant Sarigar finds his arm is "missing". He dips his head down and begins licking at front paw, almost as if to confirm that his own leg is still there.
The pupant holds up, turns back to Black paws and tilts his head inquisitively at the massive wolf. It's obvious that he's wondering why his playmate has suddenly stopped playing.
Renik Thursday March 23rd, 2006 6:18:23 PM
"Draax, perhaps you should take that from Sarigar, before he does himself a mischief. Can you see anything through it? I wonder if the sage could be on the other side."
He peers down the corridor, frustrated at their headstong departure almist as much as he is with his own imprisonment.
"Hang in there Monthor. We'll be out of here soon enough, worry not."
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d20 Thursday March 23rd, 2006 11:36:53 PM
Disappointed and yet relieved Feng heads back down to his captured comrades. "The Sage is not here. Where he fled to I know not. Though I wish I did." Feng says angrily.
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25; Haste] Thursday March 23rd, 2006 11:39:29 PM
Tratain follows the others back into the room. he says "If the sage is still here he's probably in that tree, I don't think theres a way into it without flying."
Draax Thursday March 23rd, 2006 11:45:20 PM
Draax carefully picks up the ring and brings it over to Renik's cage and while holding at an angle for them both to see, he looks inside.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Greater Invisibility, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield Friday March 24th, 2006 12:19:32 AM
Arien also returns to the room and continues his examination of the Sage's labaratory, seeing if he could find anything that might give a clue to the Sage's current location.
The long wait? (DM Cayzle) Friday March 24th, 2006 6:19:07 AM
It soon is clear that the other "end" or "side" of the hoop hole is the identical hoop that you left in the Mind Fog, through which the small fellow escaped not too long ago. It is an easy job to go fetch it.
If only Renik or Monthor had picked it up, instead of leaving it behind! Then perhaps escape would have been in reach.
Feng returns with mixed emotions. Tratain voices the idea that the Sage is in the tree. Arien looks around for more information. The blade barrier still keeps him from the door to the north, although it will go away in a little while.
The laboratory is set up for the purposes of making things, but, oddly, it would seem that its use is as much to make creatures as to make items. Arien is struck by the potential, but the art of creating magical vermin is of course beyond him. He does find notes on making invisible regenerating bees who can cast True Strike at will.
Alas, Renik and Monthor remain stuck.
So far only a few minutes have gone by. But it seems that the party may be in for a long wait. Or will there be an attack at any moment? The lone remaining ant seems content to wait in a corner. How about you all? Content to wait? For how long? What will you do while you wait?
Monthor Saturday March 25th, 2006 3:10:40 PM
Well, doesn't appear that the dwarf has much of a choice other then to wait for as long as he is stuck in the cage. So, he does.
Renik Sunday March 26th, 2006 7:37:08 AM
"I don't like the fact that the sage is watching us." says the rogue. He addresses the ant. "Sage, have your creature depart, or we will slay it."
Tratain AC 27 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25;] Sunday March 26th, 2006 9:52:02 PM
Tratain calls the others over to him and cancels the Blade barrier spell so that they can go look through the door to the North that it was blocking.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Monday March 27th, 2006 3:56:42 AM
Draax puts down the hoop he is holding and then goes to retrieve the other end.
Hearing Renik statement to the ant, Draax raises his hand to get his attention, "Before we dismiss the ant lets make sure Sage gets the message."
Draax goes need the ant. "OK, tag you're it. You heard our response to your proposal. We are not leaving without the elves and if we cannot get the elves we will tear this place apart and kill every creature of your we come upon. If you have not noticed the elves are a liability to use. With them alive, our first duty is to get them back to safety, if they are dead or we believe they are dead then we get to take our time tearing this place apart and hunting you until we find you. The choice is your, I advise you to make up your mind soon. Like my friend said, you should remove your ant if you do not want us to show our commitment on it."
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d20 Monday March 27th, 2006 10:12:30 AM
Feng takes a deep breath and says nothing. He's torn about what should be done. If they leave then lives will be saved. But how many more could be put in danger if the Sage is allowed to continue his ways. If they stay and deal with the Sage, lives will be lost. Did he have that right to make such a decision?
Sarigar (AC24) and Black Paws (AC21) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) d20+1=20 d20+19=36 Monday March 27th, 2006 10:53:45 AM
Once he's sure his leg is intact, Black Paws returns to chasing the pupant around the room, who, using his size to his advantage bolts between various Hamletter's legs. More than once, Feng, Tratain, Draax (before he leaves for the ring) all find themselves nose to nose with Black Paws as he just barely stops before barreling them over in his pursuit. Each one is also give a kind of "sorry" as he give them a big slobbery lick.
Sarigar, sure that his arm is ok now, joins his brother in pursuit of the pupant until Tratain calls everyone over. He helps search the room, but with his eyes and his nose (Search 20, Survival: Scent 36). Every so often, he lets out a giggle or raspy laugh for no apparent reason.
The Ant, the Door, the Rings, and More (DM Cayzle) Tuesday March 28th, 2006 7:51:54 AM
[OOC: Apologies, fellows. Babysitting and other stuff makes this post late and short.]
Draax now has both ends of the ring-gate-item.
The Ant scurries into the library and comes back with ink, pn, and paper. It places these on the floor near Draax.
The pupant is having a great time with Sarigar and Black Paws.
The Blade Barrier goes down, allowing access to the door behind it. The door is locked, like the others, and will take some pushing to force open.
Monthor Tuesday March 28th, 2006 9:08:48 PM
Hey! If Arien teleported inside of the cube with one of those ring thingies we could then use it to get out! Right?
Tratain AC 27 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] d20+3=5 Tuesday March 28th, 2006 10:48:17 PM
Tratain attempts to Help Force the Door open with the others, but is unable to help make much progress. After a few Tries if the door is still not opened Tratain will attempt to break the door open with his Warhammer.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Wednesday March 29th, 2006 2:15:24 AM
Draax unconsciously bends down to pet the pupant every now and then when it gets near him.
Seeing the ant drop the writing tools in front of him Draax looks closely at the ant, "Wow, you are a smart one." Picking up the tools Draax moves to a flat surface to begin writing. "Maybe the sage cannot hear us and needs us to put our demands in writing."
He unconsciously sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth as he starts thinking. When he finishes writing he reads what he has written out loud for the others approval before giving it to the ant.
"Dear Sahnhan,
It is with regret that we will have to turn down your generous offer. The only vow that we are willing to make is to leave here with the elf alive or destroy everything of yours that we come in contact with and hunt you from one end of the wold to the next.
Our primary mission for coming to your vacation resort was to find and rescue the elves that you held captive. Fighting and killing their evil kidnapper was to be a bonus if we were lucky. Unfortunately you got away before we were able to kill you and the stupid elves ran right back to you. Which brings us back to square one.
Now Sage, we are reasonable men, elves, orcs, dwarves, and wolves; but we trusted you once and you played with our minds and brought a mountain down on us. Fool us once shame on you, fool us twice shame on us. I am sure you get the jest of where I am going with this and to make a long story short. Return the elves and we will see the elves to safety. We may or may not pursue you in the future for trying to kill us. Do not return the elves and we will destroy this place and everything we come across until we find you; then we will do everything in our power to destroy you. The choice is your; have eight very angry and vengeful adventurers that have already proven how destructive we can be do everything is their power to destroy you or set the elf free and live to see any day.
Sincerely,
Not-your-friend"
Draax waits to adds or cross out anything that the group wants before folding the paper and giving it to the ant.
The Closet and the Note (DM Cayzle) Wednesday March 29th, 2006 7:20:13 AM
The door is forced, and it opens onto a small closet, 10 ft by 10 ft. There are shelves to the left and right, bare wall ahead. On the shelves are supplies and stores, all kinds of things that one would need to live here in comfort. Table linens, candlesticks, china, towels, blankets, pots, etc.
There is also some adventuring gear and treasure: six masterwork daggers, 100 feet silk rope, warm weather gear, cold wweather gear, a masterwork staff, and three small coffers each holding gold and gems -- total 10,000 cash.
The ant takes the message and dashes off. The pupant chases after, thinking it a race. Do you call the pup back?
Yes, teleporting should work to get in and out of the forcecages, but you would need several.
Sarigar (AC24) and Black Paws (AC21) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) Wednesday March 29th, 2006 11:02:35 AM
Seeing their playmate run off after the ant, the brothers take off after it and playfully tackle it. Between them, the barks and growls and yips sound scolding but playful...Highlight to display spoiler: {"Where ya going little un? We're not done playing yet, are we? He's gonna go see a bad guy."}
The last few yips sees the brothers faces contort into a scowl. It's obvious they finally remember why they were here in the first place. Anger and frustration flush over them, but they try to remain at least a little cheerful for the pupant.
Renik Wednesday March 29th, 2006 11:03:22 AM
Renik decides to take his rest where he can get it, and grabs 40 winks.
(OOC:Wish I could do the same! Apologies for the missed post, RL is CRAZY at the mo! Wife in bed sick since Saturday, hospital runs, childcare, AND a fulltime job! Sleep's for losers!)
Monthor Wednesday March 29th, 2006 10:01:12 PM
Monthor sits tight and waits as well. Nothing much else to do.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Thursday March 30th, 2006 1:04:50 AM
Draax watches the ant leave and turns his attention to the pup. He turns his attention to Sarigar when he hears the barks directed at the pup and waits to see if the pup returns. If the pup does not return Draax will run after it. To the others he says, "The ant is on its way back to the sage."
To Sarigar Draax asks, "Do you think you and/or your brother could track that ant if we need to?"
If the pup stayed or someone was able to get it to come back Draax ask Sarigar another question. "Has the pup had anything to eat yet?"
He looks near where the pup's cage was to see if there is any food in the area for the pup. If no food is located Draax will see if the pup will eat rations.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance Thursday March 30th, 2006 1:54:01 AM
Arien continues to browse the former occupant's library, setting aside any tomes that do not deal with the creation of insect creatures. Those he means to destroy along with the rest of the Sage's work regardless of what happens next. The sage would at least be dealt a grievous blow to his schemes and would likely not recover before he was found again.
The hours fly by (DM Cayzle) Thursday March 30th, 2006 6:45:41 AM
The Pupant is easily distracted and eats anything remotely edible that you feed it.
Sarigar could track the ant, with a -5 penalty to the usual rolls because there are so many ant trails in this place.
Arien analyzes the sage's library. If you make a Knowledge (Arcana) check vs DC 15, then Highlight to display spoiler: {You realize that many books you would expect to see in such a library are not present. Either the sage has a shockingly incomplete library, or he has more books somewhere else.}
In the interest of moving along, my friends, please post your actions for the next eight hours or so. If we need more posts to cover that span, no prob; if not, let's get moving.
Renik Thursday March 30th, 2006 7:11:49 AM
Renik sleeps for much of the time in his cell. When he awakes he excercises, then spends a good hour or so gatting his har just right. A quick goatte trim and he's ready to face the Wold again.
Monthor (HP 91, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless Thursday March 30th, 2006 8:06:09 AM
Monthor bangs around the cage a bit before settling in for the wait.
" Girls, one teleport spell would be all that is needed to get one of us out. Get Renik out if the party wants help with the searches. Get me out if youz wants help in case there is a battle. Arien can teleport in one of the cages, use the loops to get out of the cage, recover the loop when the cage is dispelled. Simple, and youz just added a major tactical advantage to the party by freeing one of us. "
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d20 Thursday March 30th, 2006 10:29:49 AM
Feng takes up a short patrol of the area while those that are stuck in force cages cannot get out. He's quiet, lost in thought and not really paying that much attention to anything.
Sarigar (AC24) and Black Paws (AC21) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless) Thursday March 30th, 2006 10:37:13 AM
When Arien asks if they can track the ant if need be, the brothers both put their noses down to the ground where the ant had been standing. Sniffing around a bit and examining the small divots left by its "feet", Sarigar looks up..."You betcha. He smells a lot like the rest, but it's different an' his foot's got a little extra thingie stickin' out of it."
As he's asked if the pupant's eaten, he looks down at the little one and speaks to it once again...Highlight to display spoiler: {"Hunrgy little un?} The pupant begins to jump around and climb on anyone that has any food smells on them at all. "Looks like he's hungry. Sarigar reaches into his pack and pulls out a piece of meat (most likely from the last time the party stopped and he hunted) and holds it under the nose of the pupant who eagerly eats it.
Over the next 8 or so hours, the brothers and the pupant play and nap and play and nap. Every so often, Sarigar will jump up on Monthor's forcecage to playfully tease the pupant and seems to make at least a little effort to try to break him out by jumping up and down on it. Luckily Monthor's and Renik's spirits seem to be so high or the brothers would likely be hurting themselves trying to release their caged friends.
ooc: I can't believe that I haven't played up the fact that packmates are caged. The brothers hate anyone/anything to be caged.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Thursday March 30th, 2006 12:31:55 PM
Draax catches the two hours of sleep that his ring requires of him and then guards the entrance/exit to the area. Whenever the pupant comes near him, he will feed it small portions of his rations.
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